Ardern’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis has inspired high trust in the state but by the time the country goes to the polls later this year, the outbreak’s social and economic damage may change that.
Dougal Sutherland, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Fear is a central emotional response during a pandemic and it’s why most people have complied with lockdown conditions. But as anxiety eases and boredom sets in, people’s resolution may fray.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, online platforms might seem to be safer places to work and socialise, but online abuse is expected to rise – and women are at a higher risk.
Ilan Noy, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Many countries are spending record amounts to support people and businesses affected by COVID-19, but we need to scrutinise fiscal support because it’s money we’re borrowing from future generations.
As someone who researches and teaches leadership, I’d argue New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is giving most Western politicians a masterclass in crisis leadership.
My research shows New Zealanders are likely to cope better with the coronavirus lockdown if they spend time exercising and playing outdoors, while still following official advice on social distancing.
Singapore’s successful use of a mobile contact tracing app is among the ways New Zealand could use technology better in its COVID-19 lockdown.
Wallace Woon/EPA
Jon MacKay, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
Automated text messages if your phone detects you’re a long way from home, or discounted home internet, are just a few possible technology solutions to make New Zealanders “stay home to save lives”.
Despite a comprehensive lockdown, New Zealanders should expect the number of people with coronavirus infections to rise first, before they come down again.
The Christchurch gunman’s surprise guilty plea makes him the first person convicted of terrorism in New Zealand. A legal expert explains what will happen next in the sentencing process.
As New Zealand enters a four-week lockdown, some business leaders will get their workers through better than others. Five key principles can make all the difference.
New Zealanders are preparing to stay at home for four weeks to stop the spread of COVID-19. Under existing laws, people who flout lockdown rules could face fines or six months in jail.
Overjoyed. That’s not a word epidemiologists normally use, but that’s how I felt after hearing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s announcement of New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown from Wednesday night.
More than one-in-16 people in New Zealand is a migrant without residence status. For everyone’s sake, to contain COVID-19 we need to ensure those 300,00 people can access health and social services.
Tens of thousands of New Zealanders don’t have secure or adequate accommodation – so how can they safely self-isolate in NZ’s lockdown? But there are solutions – and here’s where to start.
On the internet, anyone can express their views, like they can in Speakers’ Corner in London – it’s up to the audience to guard against disinformation.
J. A. Hampton/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
A scholar who has reviewed the efforts of nations around the world to protect their citizens from foreign interference says there is no magic solution, but there’s plenty to learn and do.
To guard against coronavirus, NZ should consider a short “pulse” (a few weeks) of intense social distancing, including bringing forward school holidays and temporary closures of most businesses.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, speaking alongside Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison in February 2020.
Bianca De Marchi/AAP
New Zealand will spend NZ$12.1 billion – or 4% of its GDP – to support businesses, increase benefits for seniors and low-income families, pay people in self-isolation, and boost health care capacity.
Tourism is vital to NZ and small economies in the Pacific. But as the Samoa Tourism Authority’s CEO says, “we can always get money back, but once there’s a loss of life you’ll never have that back”.
Siouxsie Wiles, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealanders should expect new border entry restrictions to stay in place for some time, but the measures are important to control the spread of coronavirus in New Zealand and the Pacific.
71-year-old grandfather Haji-Daoud Nabi, who was shot as he welcomed a stranger to his mosque.
Haji-Daoud Nabi was a lifelong friend, who helped inspire my research in Afghanistan on how violent events shape people’s sense of community. I never thought my work would one day apply at home in NZ.
Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Health and Environmental Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, and Professor of Political Science, Charles Sturt University